How to Line Your Lower Lids Without Looking Like a Hot Mess

One thing I've learned from our January Beauty Resolution to try different smoky eye looks: A lot of you guys are still confused about how to get your lower lids into the action. Well, I'll break it down for ya.

There are two basic spots where you can put your liner. The first is inside the rim like Alicia Keys here: The closeup (sorry it's so grainy): This placement is probably what you think of when you think of a smoky eye, but it can be tricky and makes your eyes look a little smaller--not a problem if you have huge peepers, but a major one if you're trying to make yours look bigger. If you're in the second camp, head down to the second option. If you're in the first, here's what you do: Gently tub your lower lid down and draw along that little shelf of skin right by your eye. It'll tickle and you might have to start and stop a couple of times. Then, if you want something more dramatic, make the line a little thicker, so the line goes along your actual lashes, too. But that part's optional.

Or you can go with this version like you see on Kim Kardashian: Here, instead of lining your inner rims, you line right at the border—the edge where the "shelf" of the ridge begins when you pull your lid down. You can go all the way across or you can stop about half-way--just play around and see what you like best. And if you want an extra-eye-opening effect, trying lining your inner rims with peach liner.

Now, if you're having trouble making the line look crisp, just draw it on and clean up it with a cotton swab dipped in eye makeup remover later—just be very careful not to touch your eye. And if you're worried about it traveling south and making you look like you have two black eyes, try justing a little sheer powder right along the edge of it.

Those are the two basic styles of lower-lid-lining. Which one do you use? Got a tip to share?